Chapter 90

Chapter 90

When something's this cute, who even cares what the word originally meant?

Too adorable to correct.

Bai Sheng used the tablet to video call the little one. From this angle, you could see the person on the other end leaning in too, talking to Xiaobai Nuo, who was all smug about finding the 'perfect' word for himself.

They tried to take over from Dou Dou and pile on the praise, to make him even more "Xiao Nuo De Zhi" (Little Nuo's Triumph).

They all instinctively paused for a second as they climbed the stairs, then slowly shuffled up to the second floor.

Only when the little guy was out of sight did they all turn and look at Bai Sheng at the same time.

Just look at how chill he is—clearly he's seen the little guy being adorable a million times.

—What makes him so special?!

Cen Liu clutched his chest and spoke in a strained voice: "Cousin, you know what I'm going to say—"

Bai Sheng didn't even look up: "He's got an owner. Not for sale, no cuddling. Got a problem? We'll settle it in the game room."

Cen Liu: ...

Bai Qi, who was way ahead, chimed in out of nowhere.

"If you win the fight, can you take him away?"

Bai Sheng finally looked up and met his sister's eyes: "You can try."

Bai Qi: ...

Bai Qi wisely looked away.

For a split second, she felt a bad vibe.

Was Bai Sheng actually pissed just now?! You can't even bring it up?! What's raising a kid for half a year done to him?!

But as Bai Qi looked away, Bai Sheng happened to meet the gaze of Bai Jingyun, who was standing behind Bai Qi.

Those two had been at odds since they were kids—one look was enough to spark a standoff.

However, before anyone else could speak, Bai Jingyun was the first to look away, as if conceding.

After all, when it came to the little cub, he was definitely losing ground.

Bai Jingyun adjusted his watch and let out a breath.

"I'm going to be very busy for a while. If anything comes up, just notify me directly as before."

"Are you two picking fights again?"

Bai Liang was bringing up the rear, moving slow with a lazy grin. At that, he looked up, raised an eyebrow, and glanced between Bai Sheng and Bai Jingyun in surprise.

Didn't they just go to Sheng'ang University's anniversary together last time? And now they're already at each other's throats again?

Bai Sheng, phone in hand, replied in a flat tone.

"Do I look like I have that much free time?"

And from his screen, he seemed to be saving the phrase 'Xiao Nuo De Zhi' while drafting a WeChat Moments post.

Bai Family: ...

Brag, brag, brag—that's all he ever does, show off his kid!

But even as they thought that, their bodies were honest—they were already reaching for their phones.

"I know. Those moves were way too cheap. If you'd done them, I'd have laughed out loud."

Bai Jingyun looked down at his phone and said coldly.

Though he didn't want to admit it, Bai Sheng wasn't that low.

"Speaking of which, I mentioned to you before about the negative public opinion targeting you online, right?"

Cen Liu joined their conversation, casually placing a hand on Bai Jingyun's shoulder.

"And today Nuo Nuo seemed pretty worried about you. Whether it's superstition or Nuo Men, I think you'd better stay on your guard."

Bai Jingyun lightly brushed Cen Liu's hand away, but before he could speak, Cen Zhi, who had just pushed open the door at the front, spun around.

"Physical in two days—don't be late."

Bai Jingyun: ...

Bai Jingyun pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I know. I'm not Bai Jin—you don't have to repeat yourself a hundred times."

Cen Zhi muttered something up ahead about 'not a single one being low-maintenance.'

Just as Bai Jingyun finished speaking, his phone vibrated.

Lin Ren had sent another message.

Lin Ren: That snack shop for kids dropped new stuff. Pretty candy packaging, not too sweet, quite healthy, and they have cheese sticks too. My two elementary school kids love 'em. Want to check it out?

Lin Ren: I'll look up the rest later. You've already cleaned out all my saved recommendations! Such a user and discarder, Mr. Busy.

Bai Jingyun sent a ton of stuff, most of it based on Lin Ren's advice. You could say Lin Ren was the key strategist in boosting his status with Xiaobai Nuo.

Especially since Bai Jin loved to mess with the kid every day, Bai Jingyun would occasionally get asked for a hug so the little guy could escape his uncle's teasing.

Even with a lot on his plate these days, Bai Jingyun still felt calm.

Bai Jingyun: Where'd you stash them? Aren't you already busy enough pushing your own projects?

Lin Ren: Haha, just a figure of speech. You've been having a lot of trouble lately, huh, senior? Those business partners turned on you? That's breach of contract, isn't it? They think you won't go after them?

Bai Jingyun: Just a bunch of rabble. They were originally used to cause trouble for Bai Sheng. No longer needed. If they get restless, the legal department can handle it.

Lin Ren: Alright, well you be careful, senior.

Bai Jingyun: I know.

Then Bai Jingyun saw Bai Sheng's WeChat Moments post.

Bai Jingyun: I'll check out those recommendations later. I remember that shop has a themed physical store in Ang City, right? Lin Ren: 'Location' is here. What, you think Bai Sheng would let you take his cub out to play?

Bai Jingyun thought for a moment, glanced at Bai Sheng, who had clearly finished showing off his kid and looked noticeably more cheerful—and also more punchable.

He gave an honest answer.

Bai Jingyun: "Very hard."

Xiao Bai Nuo was still reading the idiom picture book, chatting with his brothers while occasionally asking Dou Dou questions.

He was exceptionally clever at this, able to draw inferences, though sometimes the inferences he made were so off that they were both amusing and confusing.

There were no dangerous items around him. He lay on the carpet, the air conditioning kept at a constant temperature, the edges of the nearby table were rounded, and any remaining sharp corners were carefully wrapped in bumpers.

After kindergarten, although he still clung to Bai Sheng, the little one was no longer the anxious, fearful child he had been when first brought home—the one who worried he might be abandoned if he didn't behave.

Back then, Xiao Bai Nuo tried his best to be good, yearning for a home, afraid of being discarded.

But now, the little one was certain he wouldn't be abandoned. He could play on his own or with the other kids for a long time, turning into a grubby little ball of a kid before being picked up by his father and taken home for a bath.

The adults in the house had gone upstairs to discuss things, and the little one wasn't worried.

After all, the grown-ups had their own stuff to do, and Nuo Nuo was very busy too.

Amid the servants' adoring smiles, the little one flipped the page again.

"This word is... 'spring blossoms and flowers bloom'!"

Xiao Bai Nuo propped his chin on his hand and glanced curiously at Yu Chuyan.

Brother Xiao Yan hadn't been reading since Xiao Nuo's earlier success; instead, he was staring at him wide-eyed.

Xiao Bai Nuo: ?

Yu Chen walked past Yu Chuyan and tapped him on the forehead, snapping him back to reality, turning to glare at Yu Chen with dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, the Xie twins were arguing again over the patterns on their pens.

Off-camera, Shi Lin rushed in to calm things down.

That was when Bai Jin returned.

It was hot outside, and he was steaming as he walked in. He wore a sleeveless black hoodie, his muscular arms flexing slightly with his movements. To protect his gland, he usually wore his hood up when going out, but he pulled it down once inside.

He tiptoed inside, scanning the room for his target.

Great. No one else was here.

There was the little one—found him! Lying on the carpet!

Bai Jin quietly approached.

Today, Yu An from the Yu family had come to visit. Although most of the necessary discussions and arrangements had already been made, a personal visit was still needed. Bai Jin didn't usually care much about such formalities, but he'd heard that Yu An was picking up his younger brother from after-school tutoring on the way.

Yu An's younger brother—the alpha who didn't really seem like an alpha?

Then he had to bring out the adorable secret weapon at home to show off.

Bai Jin's plan was simple: his residence wasn't far from the main building, and they wouldn't even be leaving the estate. Taking advantage of Third Brother being away, he'd sneak the kid away, make a quick trip, and come back. Worst case, he'd get a beating.

He wanted Yu An to see what a truly cute kid looked like.

So when a shadow fell over him, Xiao Bai Nuo looked up in confusion over his shoulder. "Little Uncle? ...Ah!"

Before he could finish, Bai Jin scooped him up, deliberately staying out of Dou Dou's camera view. The little one only had time to grab Dou Dou's leash before being whisked away by his uncle.

Xiao Bai Nuo: ?

The brothers in the video: ??

The servants who had been watching the little one read his idiom book with smiles: ???

Wait, was someone stealing a child right in the house?!

Third Master, your precautions were right all along!!

He grabbed Nuo Nuo and ran!!

Bai Jin also grabbed a straw hat from the doorway, plopped it on the little one's head, and dashed out with the now-squirming kid who was trying to pull his uncle's hair.

Bai Jin's "scheme" had succeeded, and he was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Ow—are you trying to pull out all of your little uncle's hair? I'm not taking you far, just to my place to take a look. You've been there before, haven't you? I'll bring you right back. Maybe your dad won't even notice for a little while. You know what this is called? It's called 'luring the tiger away from the mountain.' Take a lesson from your little uncle."

With Third Brother around, it was really hard to snatch the kid.

Proud of his quick snatch-and-run tactic, Bai Jin felt quite smug.

"Little Uncle, Daddy will find out."

The little one's confused, milky voice called out.

Then Bai Jin felt the little one let go of his hair, his small hands fumbling and pulling at a string.

Bai Jin: ?

He watched as the little one scooped the dragged-along Dou Dou into his arms and pointed the small camera at Bai Jin.

The camera lens reflected Bai Jin's slightly bewildered face.

Ah... that camera.

Then, having finished pulling his uncle's hair while being carried off, the little one opened his mouth and shouted in a triumphant, milky voice: "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!"

Bai Jin: ...

Oh no! The thrill of snatching the kid and running had made him too fast—he'd only been watching the road and hadn't noticed the little one had grabbed the camera.

And what about what he had just said?

"Smart?"

Bai Sheng's voice came through the camera, his tone unreadable.

Then Cen Liu burst out laughing, roaring with laughter.

"Bai, Jin!!! 'Luring the tiger away from the mountain,' 'snatch and run,' huh? If Nuo Nuo gets so much as a scratch, your head is mine!"

This is Ms. Cen Zhi.

Bai Liang took the opportunity to add to the chaos, and also said with a smile, "Everyone, look, there's a person here. His life is too smooth, he wants to make things harder for himself."

This really was a 'check this out' moment.

Xiaobai Nuo kept his chin up and blinked his eyes.

"Dad, Nono grabbed Dou Dou's leash!"

"Oh my, grandma's little one reacted so fast."

"Bai Jin, are you looking for trouble?"

"Hahahaha—luring the tiger away from the mountain hahahaha—Bai Jin, Bai Sheng is coming to get you hahahaha—"

Cen Liu, take it easy with your laughter, don't pass out.

And Xiaobai Nuo slightly lifted his chin, imitating his uncle's smug expression from a moment ago.

"Uncle, did you learn? This is called Xiao Nuo’s moment of glory."

Applying what he just learned! He was like a fox borrowing the tiger's strength, as if he had a tail wagging behind him.

Bai Jin: ...